If you've been charged with a Virginia arson or bombing crime, you're facing a serious criminal offense, with the possibility of significant incarceration. You need to consult an experienced criminal defense attorney as soon as possible. You shouldn't speak with any investigator, law enforcement officer, or other individual until you do so. Any statements you make, including statements to non-law enforcement, can later be used against you.

Contact a criminal defense lawyer at Manikas Law, LLC if you've been arrested in Alexandria, or in the following counties:

Fairfax

Prince William

Arlington

Loudoun

No matter where you are in Northern Virginia, we can help you build a strong defense to the charges you face.

Arson and Bombing Offenses in Virginia Carry Serious Penalties

In Virginia, there are many different crimes associated with arson and bombing. Many are felonies with long-term prison sentences and hefty fines.

Burning or destroying dwelling house(Va. Code 18.2-77): This crime is a felony punishable by imprisonment for life or for any period not less than five years and a fine of not more than $100,000. However, if the dwelling house/home is unoccupied, the crime is a Class 4 felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $100,000.

Burning or destroying meeting house(Va. Code 18.2-79): If any person maliciously burns any meeting house, courthouse, townhouse, college, academy, schoolhouse, or other building erected for public use at a time when any person is inside, he shall be guilty of a Class 3 felony punishable by 5–to–20 years imprisonment and a fine of up to $100,000. If such offense is committed when no person is in such building, the offender shall be guilty of a Class 4 felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $100,000.

Burning or destroying any other building or structure(Va. Code 18.2-80): If any person maliciously burns, or by the use of any explosive device or substance, maliciously destroys, in whole or in part, of any building, bridge, lock, dam, or other structure, he shall be guilty of a Class 3 felony punishable by 5–to–20 years imprisonment and a fine of up to $100,000. If he commits such offense at a time when no person is in such building or other structure, and such building, or other structure, with the property inside valued at least $200, he shall be guilty of a Class 4 felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $100,000.

Burning or destroying personal property (Va. Code 18.2-81): If any person maliciously, or with intent to defraud an insurance company or other person, sets fire to or burn or destroy by any explosive device or substance, any personal property, and the thing burnt or destroyed was worth at least $200, the accused shall be guilty of a Class 4 felony punishable by up to 10 years imprisonment and a fine of up to $100,000. If the item burnt or destroyed was worth less than $200, the offender shall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor, which is punishable by up to 12 months in jail and a $2,500 fine.

Burning a building or structure while in such building or structure with intent to commit felony(Va. Code 18.2-82): This is a Class 4 felony punishable by up to 10 years imprisonment and a fine of up to $100,000.

Threats to bomb or damage buildings or means of transportation; false information as to danger to such buildings (Va. Code 18.2-83): Any person (a) who makes and communicates to another by any means any threat to bomb, burn, destroy, or in any manner damage any place of assembly, building or other structure, or any means of transportation or; (b) who communicates to another, by any means, information, knowing the same to be false, as to the existence of any peril of bombing, burning, destruction, or damage to any such place of assembly, building or other structure, or any means of transportation, shall be guilty of a Class 5 felony, punishable by up to 10 years in jail and a $2,500 fine. However, if the person is under 15 years of age (a juvenile), he shall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor, punishable by up to 12 months in jail and a $2,500 fine.

Manufacture, possession, use, etc., of fire bombs or explosive materials or devices(Va. Code 18.2-85): Any person who (i) possesses materials with which fire bombs or explosive materials or devices can be made with the intent to manufacture fire bombs or explosive materials or devices or; (ii) manufactures, transports, distributes, possesses, or uses a fire bomb or explosive materials or devices, shall be guilty of a Class 5 felony punishable by up to 10 years in jail and a $2,500 fine. Moreover, any person who constructs, uses, places, sends, or causes to be sent any hoax explosive device so as to intentionally cause another person to believe that such device is a bomb or explosive shall be guilty of a Class 6 felony, which is punishable by up to five years in prison and a $2,500 fine.

Setting woods, etc., on fire intentionally whereby another is damaged or jeopardized(Va. Code 18.2-87): This crime is a Class 1 misdemeanor punishable by up to 12 months in jail and a $2,500 fine.

Setting off chemical bombs capable of producing smoke in certain public buildings(Va. Code 18.2-87.1): This is a Class 2 misdemeanor punishable by up to six months in jail and a $1,000 fine.

Carelessly damaging property by fire (Va. Code 18.2-88): If any person carelessly, negligently, or intentionally sets any woods or marshes on fire, or sets fire to any stubble, brush, straw, or any other substance capable of spreading fire on lands, and the property of another is damaged or jeopardized, he shall be guilty of a Class 4 misdemeanor punishable by a fine of $250.

If you've been arrested for any form of arson or bombing, you need an experienced criminal defense attorney to help you with the serious consequences you face. Call Manikas Law, LLC today to schedule a free consultation to learn how our legal team may help you achieve the best possible outcome.

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